Record perforation analyzing mechanism



Jan. 6, 1953 c. R. MANNING RECORD PERFORATION ANALYZING MECHANISM 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Sept. 13, 1951 FIG.|

ZOOMQO'OB 204A CAMS CAMS Iinventor CLARENCE R. MANNING Jan. 6, 1953 c. R. MANNING RECORD PERFORATION ANALYZING MECHANISM 2 SHEETS-SHEET Filed Sept. 13, 1951 FIG.4

INVENTOR CLARENCE R. MANNING ATTORN EY Patented Jan. 6, 1953 RECORD PERFORATION ANALYZING MECHANISM Clarence R. Manning, Vestal, N. Y., assig-nor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation .of New York Application September 13, 1951, Serial No. 246,362

'5 Claims. '11

This invention relates to record controlled machines, and more particularly to improvements in record perforation analyzing mechanisms therefor.

In one form of record perioration analyzing mechanism, shown in the patent to George F. Daly, No. 2,514,031, issued July 4, 1950, a series of perforation analyzing brushes are moved downwardly to make contact a series of stationary contact points through the record perforations, said contact points comprising commutator spots which are successively wiped over by a rotary brush to transmit differentially timed electrical digit representing impulses, to control electrical instrumentalities of a record controlled accounting machine.

The purpose of this invention is to devise an improved arrangementhaving all'of the advantages of the abovedescribed type of record perforation analyzing mechanism but to construct it in such a manner that a more efficient and longer duration of electrical contact is provided, thus insuring the proper operation of the electrical instrumentalities oi the record controlled accounting machine.

One object of the present invention is to dispense with the rotary brush or wiper in the earlier arrangement and effect the electrical contact with the contact points by wire brushes which are positively pressed against said contact points-by successively operated cams, which cams establish by their cam con-tour formations the-time and duration of the electrical contact.

Each card column usually has twelve index point positions, 9, 8, '7, 6, 5, 4,3, 2, 1, 0, X and R which are sensed by a corresponding number of perforation analyzing brushes which make individual contact with the commutator spots or contact points through the perforations. In the present machine the desired pressure contact between each wire brush and its contact point can also be provided 'by having twelve cams which successively press twelve wire brushes against the related commutator contact points but in the preferred arrangement each cam moves a wire brush to make contact with either one of a pair of contact points, thus requiring for twelve contact points only six cams and six wire brushes.

Thus, it is a still further object of the invention to devise the contact making arrangement in such manner'that the number of brushes and cams operating the brushes comprise only half of the number of commutator contact points.

A still further improvement is to provide a 2 design of cam which establishes by its cam contour the duration of contact between a wire brush and a commutator point, thus enabling electrical impulses of a longer duration than that possible by a rotary Wiper, as in the earlier Daly Patent No, 2,514,031

A still further improvement is to arrange the contact making mechanism in such manner that a second, or following impulse, is initiated before the-preceding impulse is'terminated, thus providing for the transmission of successive overlapping impulses, in the order 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,-(), X and R.

If it were not otherwise provided for, in the contact of a single wire brush with a pair of contact points alternately, such as 9 and 8, for example, the contact between the wire brush and the 9 contact point would have to be broken before said wire brush could make contact with the 8 contact point. Thus, without some special provision or arrangement the desired overlapping of transmission of impulses could not be derived.

Accordingly, a further improvement consists in arranging the contact points in association with the brushes in such manner after two neighboring brushes are operated one after the other in one direction to engage the 9 and 8 commutator contact points to transmit 9 and 8 impulses, then are successively operated in another direction to engage the '7 and 6 commutator contact points to transmit the 7 and 6 impulse. Obviously, since the successive movement of neighboring brushes in said one direc tion can overlap, the resultant digit impulses, such as 9 andB, will also overlap. The above describes the principle embodied for transmitting 9, 18, 7 and 6 impulses, and by the same mode of operation the remaining four wire brushes transmit overlapping impulses 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, X and R.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in thefollowing descriptionand claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by wayof example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional viewshowing the perforation analyzing brush structure of the prior patented arrangement and its association with the improved contact making arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the manner of forming the commutator contact points so that they are associated with the correct Wire 3 brushes in a manner according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of two operating cams to show in more detail their cam formations and their relative disposition about their common drive shaft.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view which is partly in section showing the means for supporting a series of wire brushes and their associated. operating cams.

Fig. 5 is a timing diagram used in the description for describing the sequence of events.

The improvements are preferably incorporated in a record perforation analyzing mechanism of the form shown in the patent to G. F. Daly, No. 2,514,031, issued July 4, 1950. Fig. 1 shows the present improvement coordinated with a part of the structure which is substantially the same as Fig. 9 of the above cited patent. A general description will be given of the common structure using, as far as possible, the same reference numerals as in the aforementioned patent.

A frame III is adapted to carry a plurality of analyzing units H2 each comprising a metal plate carrying angularly disposed perforation analyzing brushes I09 which project through the perforations of a perforated card H9. The eighty-column card is preferably of the type shown in the patent to C. D. Lake, No. 1,772,492, issued August 12, 1930, and has in each column from the bottom to top the index points 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, X, R which are read out in the named order. Only one analyzing unit is shown in Fig. 1, but for the analysis of eighty columns of the card a corresponding number of units are provided on the frame I I I, as shown in Fig. 4, thus providing a row of brushes I99 for each of the aforesaid index points. An electrical connection is made to each analyzing unit H2 by an integral terminal H9. The plurality of analyzing units H2 are fitted in spacing slots of insulating spacing bars H5 carried by frame II I and are locked in position in frame III by rods I ll of insulating material which fit in semicircular cutouts formed in the analyzing units H2 and along the edge of each spacing bar H5.

This spacing coordinates the analyzing units with the card columns.

The frame III is normally elevated so that the card to be analyzed may be fed to the perforation analyzing brushes I99 without interference and is lowered when the card is in analyzing position. As more fully explained in the Daly Patent No. 2,514,031, concurrent with the lowering of the frame III to move the twelve rows of brushes I99 against the upper face of the card, a lateral displacement of frame III slightly to the right causes the brushes I99 to wipe over the card, and the particular brush I09 which passes through a card perforation wipes over an associated contact point I89. This lateral displacement of the frame is shown in Fig. 1. With the frame held in such position a card readout operation by the improved mechanism takes place, as will be presently described.

After the card readout operation the frame III is elevated, allowing the brushes I09 to unbend, but due to the previous concurrent shift of the frame III the brushes are disengaged from the perforations without striking the wall thereof, and damage them. This is fully explained in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,514,- 031.

As in the Daly patent, associated with the rows of perforation analyzing brushes I09 are the aforesaid rows of contact points I89. In the Daly patent a separate stator carries each set of contact points I89 for a card column but in the present machine a flat plate I90 of insulating material has embedded therein the plurality of rows of contact points, there being one row for each row of brushes I09, or twelve rows in the aggregate. The plate I99 is attached to support bars I9I and I92 by holddown screws I93. It is evident, therefore, that each individual perforation analyzing brush I09 will make contact with the associated commutator contact point I89 through the perforation located at the respective brush position.

Differing from the sensing commutator in the Daly patent, instead of a wiper brush (204 in the patent) which is rotated to pass successively over the contact points I99 in a clockwise direction, a more efficient electrical contact is made to each contact point I99 by flexible wire brushes I94 and for a duration of time dependent upon the contour of a profile cam which rocks the brush, rather than dependent upon the length of time that the wiper makes contact with a contact point I89, as in the Daly patent. By the present contact making arrangement not only is a more eificient contact made, but the period of contact is lengthened over that possible with the arrangement in the Daly patent to thus more efliciently energize the controlled magnet, or electrical instrumentality of the record controlled accounting machine.

The twelve contact points I89, of which there is one for each of the twelve brushes I09 for a card column, project downwardly beneath the bottom surface of the plate I90 and are arranged in pairs so thatthe contact points of each pair are alternately contacted by a wire brush I94. Since there are twelve contact points I89 there are six brushes I9 5 for each card column. Since there is a row of eighty contact points for the same index point a corresponding number of brushes I94 are provided in each row, and are preferably carried by a related bail I95. Each bail I95 is secured to an associated rock shaft I 99 and its transverse plate has eighty holes in which the brushes I94 project through to be separated apart a distance which is commensuratewith the spacing of the adjacent contact points I89. Each rock shaft I96 has a longitudinal slot in which fits a slotted wedging plate I91 to securely and electrically connect the series of eighty brushes I94 to the related rock shaft I99. Thus, by rocking shaft I96 first counterclockwise a row of wire brushes I94 make contact with the left-hand row of contact points I89 and then rocking shaft I99 clockwise they will make contact with the right-hand row of contact points I89. All the brushes I94 are in a neutral non-contacting position at the start of the operation of the machine.

To rock said shafts I99 in such manner as to accomplish the desired operation, attached to each rock shaft I96 by a clamp I99 is a double follower arm I99 engaging a pair of complementary profile cams 299. The six pairs of complementary cams 299 have the same cam profile but are successively arranged on a drive shaft 43 so as to rock the shafts I99 seriatim.

The six shafts I 96 are mounted concentric with respect to shaft 43 and each carries at one end a bushing 2I2 (Fig. 4) fitting in a bracket 2 I 5. By a similar mounting a bracket 2I6 carries the other end of each shaft I98. The drive shaft 5 43 corresponds to the same designated shaft .of the patent to Daly, No. 2,514,031, and is driven one revolution for each cycle of machine operation.

The pair of complementary cams 209 which are first effective cause the rocking of the row of brushes l949, 7 (see Fig. l) to .the left to contact the row of 9 contactpoi-nts 189 to read out 9s, then to neutral position. After this the nextpair of complementary cams which are next effective rock the adjacent row of brushes 94-2-8, 6 to the left to read out 8s,-then to neutral position. The cams 200 which were first effective then rock the brushes l94-. 9, 7 to the right to read out-"Zs and then to the left "to neutral.

Ihere'after, said nex t pair of complementary cams rock said adjacent row of brushes TIM-8, to the right to read out 'Bs, then 'to neutral. Thereafter, the next two rows of brushes l94--5, 3 and [94-4, 2 are 'reciprocated sequentially'by their cams 200 in the same manner to read out 5, 4, 3, and 2, and then the next .two rows of brushes [94-4, X and -l940,.R'.are then reciprocated by their cams tosimilarly read out 1, 0,

X and R in sequence. Since the readout operation for each group of 'four successive index points is alike the operation will be described in detail in connection with the readout of the group of four index points'Q, 8, 7and.6,in a single column and with particular reference to the cam formations shown in Fig. 3, and the timing of Fig. 4.

The duration or contact is shown at Brush (Fig. 5) for'9,'8, 7 and6 index points eifected'by leading cams 200A and lagging cams "200B that is 'to say, the cams 290B are effective slightly later in the cycle. 'While the camsiare complementary cams the action of the cam surface of only one will be considered in the following description:

As cam'299A rotates counterclockwise its rise ZEHA rocks shaft I96 the same direction, .moving contact wire I 949, 'l to the left from neutral to make contact'at the midpoint of the .cam rise with the 9 contact point I89, the cam rise 20IA thereafter bending brush wire ISM-9, '7 to make a very firm electrical pressure contact. A dwell 202A retains this pressure contact and brush |949, '7 begins to unbend when descent 203A is effective. At the midpoint of the descending cam part 203A the electrical contact is broken, and the contact wire I94-9, '7 is then restored to neutral position.

The period between the make and break establishes the length of the transmitted impulse and is designated 9 at Brush in Fig. 5.

Just before the break a cam rise 2MB of lagging cam 290B is effective at about its midpoint to shift brush l94-8, 6 to make contact with the 8 contact point, which is held by the dwell 292B, and part of the descending cam part 2033. This establishes in the same manner the period of the make and break delimiting the 8 impulse.

After the descending cam portion 203A has broken the contact between brush ISL-9, 7 and contact l89-9 it is maintained by a dwell 204A. Thereafter, a descending cam portion 205A shifts at its midportion contact brush wire I94 to the right to make contact with the 7 contact point I89, thus initiating the '7 impulse. The dwell portion 296A maintains the contact which is broken by a following cam rise 201A. This completes the sequence of events by cam 200A which makes and breaks contacts for transmitting the 9 and 7 digit impulse.

In the same manner cam Perils 203B, dwell 2043 and .cam portion 205.3 of the lagging cam 2003 makes and breaks the contact bet brush ISA-.8, 6 and the 6 contact Point l89.

Prior to breaking the contact for the 6 impulse another pair of cams 290 (not shown in Fig. .5) are now effective to move ,a brush 19475, 3 to the left to :make contact with the 5 digit contact point I89, to thereby initiate the '5 digit impulse, andso on by the above described events, to transmit the remainin impulses .4, 3 and .2 of this group.

Asshown, the successive impulses overlap, that is, one makes before the preceding breaks, but if found objectionable a circuit breaker 9B in the energizing circuit (see timing of fig. 5) may establish shorter digit impulse periods and prevent breaking of the circuits at the brush wires .1914 and contacts 18.9.

"The successive movement o the brushes "194 to transmit or .read out the digitimpulses in the proper sequence is desirable because it enables the transmitted impulses to overlap and establishes by each earn .the desired longer duration of impulse time.

It is evidentthen that .to accomplish the above brush 194-9, 7 (see Fig. .l) is associated withthe digit contacts I899 and .IBBmand the brush .l9;4.8,

'6 with the digit contacts 1,893 and 189s. [To

establish this interspersedrelationship .a pair .of contacts such as L898 and 1891 .have crossover connections 2|0 (Fig. v1) separated electrically by a button 2| I .of insulating material. ,Asimilar crossover arrangement is provided between contact points I893 and [.994 (Fig. 2) and I890 and 189;; (Fig. 1).

The above described operation gives th .sequence of events for the readout'of 9,8, I-and 6 digit impulses, but by a duplicatearrangement the remaining impulses are readout, overlapping and with the-desired duration. A complete sequence of events is explained "below in tabular form:

, Digit Direction ofMovement 01"6 6 PMS of Cams 200 Impulse :Rcws of'Wire'jBrnshes 194 .19v 'jQ-flitozthe .left :to readout 9 impulse.

8 8-6 to the left to read out 8 impulse.

7 9-? to the right to read out 7 impulse.

6 8 to the right to read out 6 impulse.

200C 5 5-3 to the left to read out 5 impulse.

200D 4 4-2 to the left to read out 4 impulse.

200C 3 5-3 to the right to read out 3 impulse.

200D 2 4-2 to the right to read out 2 impulse.

200E 1 l-X to the left to read out 1 impulse.

20oF 0 0- R to the left to read out 0 impulse.

200E X l X to the right to read out X impulse.

20oF R 0-12 to the right to read out R impulse.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: V

1. An analyzing mechanism for analyzing a perforated record having rows of index points comprising a plurality of rows of contact points, one row being provided for each row of index points, a plurality of rows ofanalyzing brushes, each brush adapted to make electrical contact with the associated contact point through a record perforation, a plurality of reciprocable carriers, each carrying a row of brushes adapted to make contact with a related row of contact points representing the same index point, a series of sequentially effective cams, and actuating mechanism operated by said cams to rock said carriers sequentially and to cause said rows of brushes to contact said rows of contact points in succession.

2. An analyzing mechanism for analyzing a ing brushes for each column, a corresponding number of contact points, each of said analyzing brushes adapted to make contact with the associated contact point through a record perforation, contact elements, each adapted to make successive contact with a pair of contact points associated with non-adjacent index points, and means to shift each associated contact element in contact with a related pair of contact points associated with analyzing brushes correlated with non-adjacent index points but in alternation with the'contact of another contact element with its associated pair of contact points.

3. An analyzing mechanism for analyzing a perforated record of the I-Iollerith type having perforations in a column of index points arranged according to a code comprising a series of analyzing brushes for each column, a corresponding number of contact points, each of said analyzing brushes adapted to make contact with the associated contact point through a record perforation, contact elements, each adapted to make successive contact with a pair of contact points associated with non-adjacent index points, and means to shift each associated contact element in contact with a related pair of contact points associated with analyzing brushes correlated with non-adjacent index points but in alternation and overlapping with the contact of an adjacent coritact element with its associated pair of contact elements.

4. An analyzing mechanism for analyzing a perforated record having rows of index points comprising a plurality of rows of contact points, one row being provided for each row of index points, a plurality of rows of analyzing brushes, each brush adapted to make electrical contact with the associated contact point through a record perforation, a plurality of reciprocable carriers, each carrying a row of contact elements adapted to make alternating contact with two rows of contact points associated with two rows of analyzing brushes which analyze non-adjacent index points, and a series of sequentially effective cams constructed and arranged to rock said carriers in such manner that each carrier causes its contact elements to make contact with its related two rows of contact points and in alternation with the contact by the contact elements of the next operated carrier with two other rows of contact points.

5. An analyzin mechanism for analyzing a perforated record of the Hollerith type having perforations in a column of index points arranged according to a code comprising a column of analyzing brushes, a corresponding number of contact points, said analyzing brushes adapted to make contact with the associated contact point through a record perforation, contact elements, each adapted to make contact with a pair of contact points associated with non-adjacent index points, and perforation analyzing readout means constructed and arranged to rock said contact lements in succession and each contact element in alternating contact with a related pair of contact points associated with analyzing brushes correlated with non-adjacent index points but in an alternating overlapping operation with the alternatin contact of the next operated contact element with two other pairs of contact elements associated with analyzing brushes also correlated with other non-adjacent index points.

CLARENCE R. MANNING.

No references cited. 

